​Realist Lab Demo Day: An Event Like No Other

​Get ready... Demo Day is back on June 5th at CoCreate in Stamford, and it’s going to be one for the books.

​This high-energy evening marks the final showcase of Realist Lab's Aspire Program, a 12-week accelerator designed to support and spotlight entrepreneurs who are building innovative businesses. After weeks of refining their ventures, our latest cohort is ready to pitch live in front of expert judges, investors, and a room full of supporters like you.

​Here’s what to expect:

• ​A lineup of compelling, early-stage startups

• ​Networking with investors, founders, and community leaders

• ​A panel of powerhouse judges making the final call

• ​Drinks, great food, and plenty of energy

​This isn’t just a pitch event; it’s a community moment. It’s where ideas meet opportunity and where the next big thing might just take root.

• ​Date: June 5, 2025

• ​Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• ​Location: CoCreate, Stamford

​Meet the Judges

​Malik Okoro joined Connecticut Innovations’ Life Science and Healthcare venture investments team in 2022 to support due diligence, sourcing and portfolio management. He brings the technical acumen of a multidisciplinary chemistry background and an adaptable generalist in the broad-ranging space of business operations. Prior to joining Connecticut Innovations, Malik was manager of business operations at the early-stage biotech EvolveImmune Therapeutics, where he delivered valuable insights on strategic workstreams in competitive intelligence and market analysis, coordinated the intellectual property strategy team, and managed the day-to-day of operationalizing discovery research. He also previously held roles in business development in a local startup incubator, and as an operator for a startup consumer-packaged goods company.

​Malik earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Howard University and his B.S. in chemistry from Boston College.

​Haley Lieberman is a venture-backed founder and creative operator launching ventures and programs that reimagine how we create, consume, and connect. She has launched and scaled two technology startups in the resale space including ShopTomorrows (acquired), a tokenized marketplace optimizing the exchange of goods throughout networks and neighborhoods. Her work centers on transforming material and consumption practices through ventures that prioritize environmental and social impact.

​Haley most recently served as Director of Marketing and Community at ClimateHaven, a Yale-affiliated climate tech incubator, where she led marketing and communications, partnerships, and programming to support early-stage climate startups. She played a critical role in building the organization from its inception, shaping its public presence and driving founder ecosystem growth.

​In addition to her venture experience, Haley is an advisor to the Yale Center for Business and the Environment, where she helps advance circularity and materials innovation, and is a mentor to student and early-stage founders through Tsai CITY at Yale and the ACT Cleantech Open. Her work bridges entrepreneurship, academia, and policy, with a clear focus on empowering innovative leaders in sustainable fashion, textiles, and climate technology to build a more circular and equitable future. Haley is a graduate of Bates College and NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and spends her time in CT and NYC.

​Michael Duda is the co-founder and managing partner of Bullish, an early-stage consumer investment firm and marketing agency based in New York City. Bullish investments include Harry’s, Peloton, Casper, care\of, and more. Sitting alongside the firm’s investment arm, Bullish’ agency side specializes in top-flight brand marketing, strategy and creative for companies like Nike, J.P. Morgan and Walmart.

​Prior to founding Bullish, Duda spent 20 years in the world of Madison Avenue, including at Deutsch Inc. and Johannes Leonardo before he founded Consigliere Brand Capital (rebranded as Bullish in 2015). Duda is a graduate of St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York and is on the Board of Directors of Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

​Celia Alexander is the Program Manager for Economic Development with the City of Stamford, where she supports the Mayor’s priorities of business attraction, retention, innovation, and cybersecurity. Originally from Connecticut, she supports advancing the state’s tech and startup ecosystem, including helping to launch the Stamford Tech Hub, a workforce development program aimed at strengthening the city’s talent pipeline in tech and innovation sectors.

​Before joining Stamford’s economic development team, Celia worked internationally in peace building and security. She served as a monitoring officer with the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, and has  managed projects focused on countering violent extremism and disinformation in Iraq.

​Celia holds an MPA in International Security Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and an MA in History at the University

​About CT Tech Week:

​​This event is part of #CTTechWeek, a series of initiatives bringing together the CT tech ecosystem, hosted by non-profits, the City of Stamford, VCs, and startups.

​​​Media Consent:
By attending this event, you consent to photography, video, and audio recording. Your presence may be captured and used for promotional purposes in perpetuity, including on websites, social media, news, and advertising. Your participation serves as your release of any claims related to the use of recorded media, including those regarding privacy or copyright.

​​About Realist Lab

​​Realist Lab is a (501(c)(3) on mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and change makers through education, mentorship, and community-driven initiatives. We provide resources, funding opportunities, and strategic support to help early-stage founders bring their visions to life. Through programs like the Venture Launch Fellowship, we cultivate a thriving ecosystem for underrepresented entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the tools, connections, and knowledge needed to build sustainable and impactful businesses.

​​Proceeds from the event will go to fund future generations of the Realist Lab Venture Launch Fellowship Program.